Morris Henry Schmeltekopf entered his heavenly home Monday, January 3, 2011.
Morris was born in New Braunfels February 9, 1942, to Arthur and Meta Engelbrecht Schmeltekopf. He lived in Kyle all his life, graduating from Kyle High School in 1960, where he excelled in sports, especially basketball, and was named to the All-State team. He also played basketball at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana. “Morris was a one-of-a kind basketball player,” said Moe Johnson, his high school coach. “When he was a junior he had more rebounds than any other player in the state in schools of all classifications. His senior year he averaged 22 rebounds a game.”
He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Hill, in 1963. The couple recently celebrated their 47th anniversary. In addition to his wife, Morris is survived by his daughter Laura Lynne Lehman and husband Julius and their two sons Jordan Lehman of College Station and Hunter Lehman of Kyle. His two grandsons were the light of his life.
Other survivors include his sister Rose Marie Toepfer and husband Ernie of Eunice, LA, sister-in-law Katherine Schmeltekopf of Marshall, NC, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He had a host of friends.
Morris worked for Hays CISD 30 years, serving as director of facilities and new construction. After retiring in 2009, Morris and Linda enjoyed traveling the United States and Canada. “Morris’s work ethic carried over into his work for the school district,” said Johnson, who later became Morris’s boss as superintendent of Hays CISD. “He saved the district millions of dollars by doing things right the first time. He had a tremendous work ethic and was completely honest.”
Morris also involved himself in numerous volunteer efforts, working in church construction. He served many years as deacon and trustee of Immanuel Baptist Church. He also served on the board of trustees of Sioux Falls Seminary 15 years and held various offices in the North American Baptist National Conference. “He was a strong Christian man and a gentle giant,” said Lynn Cobb, a fellow deacon.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Arthur Schmeltekopf Jr.
Visitation will be held at Pennington Funeral Home from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, The burial will take place Thursday at 9 a.m. at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Martindale. A celebration of his life will follow at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kyle.
Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 4000 E. FM 150, Kyle, TX, 78640, or to Sioux Falls Seminary, 2100 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, 57105.
